Hi, I'm Joyce

I'm a doctoral student, an admissions professional, and have the cutest grandkids! I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I have had many opportunities in my life but right now I'm exicted because I'm going to school to be a health scientist, an expert in health policy and leadership. I currently have a counseling degree and I use it to help recruit and advise students going into healthcare. I love working with the college age student and helping them to find their dream. It took me time to get here. I first started out as a young wife and mother who stayed home with her kids. Then when they started school I started back to work and realized I wanted to finish my bachelor's degree for my own satisfaction to increase my earning potential. I loved going to school so much I applied to a graduate program as a program coordinator. That led me to enroll in a graduate counseling program and subsequently to the doctorate program I'm currently in. I never saw myself with a doctorate, but here I am, a mother of 3, grandmother of 4 and going strong. I plan to teach and administrate in the health sciences for years to come. My life is so blessed. I work in the church with the young single adults and am doubly blessed. I also love Scouting and served in scouting for over 6 years and helped 96 boys earn their eagle scout award. I love music and computers but most of all my family.

Why I am a Mormon

I was blessed to be born in the church. My parents taught us the importance of the gospel and instilled in me a love of God, and of my fellowmen. I love to serve and fell blessed when I can help someone. While I've been in the church my whole life, I too needed my moment of conversion. As a young college student I had a few moments of wondering why I did what I did, and did I really believe everything I was taught. I went on an intensive study of the scripture and prayed fervently to my Father in Heaven for answers. After about two weeks of study, one night I was on my knees pleading for an answer when the words came into my mind. "Why are you asking? You already know it is true." The feeling overcame my heart that I did have a firm testimony, that it had grown line upon line, little by little, until the gospel was imbedded in my heart and my life. I can't imagine being without it. The assurance of a plan for my salvation, a relationship with my Father in Heaven, knowledge that He loves me and wants me to return to Him make me happy fills my heart with joy.

How I live my faith

Currently my husband and I work in a Young Single Adult congregation at the local university. It is a joy to work with this age group and learn and grow from them. They are an inspiration to me. Previous to this calling I was a temple worker and that is my favorite calling. I love geneology and finding my ancestors and doing their work in our temple. I plan to go back to working in the temple when our time is done in the single's ward. It is the most rewarding work and the place I feel the closest to my Heavenly Father. I love teaching in church and love the scouting program. Does the church take much of my time? Yes, but I love to serve and learn so much from others I wouldn't change it for anything. It gives me purpose and joy to be in The Lord's service.

Can a husband and wife be together forever? Do Mormons believe that families will live together in heaven?

Joyce answered...

I'm happy to know that marriage is eternal and with the proper authority and hard work a couple can be together forever when sealed in the temple. What a joy to know those special feelings and relationships do not go away when we die. Are Mormon's Christians? Yes, we consider ourselves Christians because Christ is the center and head of our Church. This question is often brought up because we do not use the cross as the symbol of our church. I believe that is because we focus more on the atonement of Christ, we reverence and worship our Savior for taking on the sins of the world. His death sealed that atonement which allows us to go back and live with him forever.
Daniel answered...

When married by earthly power and the authority of man, our vows are "Until death do you part."

We believe that families can be together forever as part of our Heavenly Father's Great Plan of Happiness. His Work and His Glory is to bring to pass the exaltation and eternal life of man. He wants us to be even as He is and to return home to live with Him again.

Through the ordinances of his Holy Temples, God's son's and daughter's are able to make covenants. Through the power of His Holy Priesthood, be sealed together for all of time and eternity as Husband and Wife, parents and children.

Families were designed and instituted by God with the intent that they be forever. The love we feel in this life does not need to be cut off when we die. Those who have already died are not lost us forever. God has mercifully made a way by which all who would accept these saving ordinances can do so, living or dead.

We perform these ordinances for those who have in the past died so that they may have the opportunity of accepting them on the other side if they so choose to do so.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Todd answered...

No. There have never been any race-related restrictions on who joins the church. People of all races and colors have been baptized from the beginning.

However, for a period of time priesthood ordinations in the Church were restricted - This policy was officially changed in 1978 when Official Declaration declared that “every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color.”

View Other People:

Meet Mormons

Discover Mormons who share your personal experience:

Find a Church

Enter as much address information as you can to find a church near you:

Joseph Smith

As is the case throughout history God has communicated to His children through prophets. God used a humble man as a prophet to restore His Church on earth who ultimately died defending His faith.

Learn More